Former middle distance runner and world-record holder Steve Cram, 52, was speaking at University Campus Suffolk, in Ipswich, this evening (Thursday February 21).

Mr Cram, who now works as an athletics commentator for the BBC, said: “Funding at the elite level is brilliant – we saw the effects of that. The concern for everyone in terms of legacy is how do we make sure it’s not wasted. School sports is incredibly important and in these current times it seems like it is being pushed down the agenda.

“I understand local authorities have other commitments and schools feel the same. Whatever Government is in place I implore them not to make cutbacks. We want to make sure we have success in the future.”

Known as ‘The Jarrow Arrow’, Mr Cram won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics as well as golds at World Championship, European and Commonwealth level.